Education
National virtual education sessions
These free sessions, run by Regional Transfusion Committees, are for clinical and laboratory staff and cover a range of topics.
Please download these resources (those which are available for you to order from the distribution hub provide a link to it at their asterisk *)
Guidance
For new Transfusion Practitioners
For experienced Transfusion Practitioners
Please note: both sets of guidance are under review and we would appreciate your feedback, please email your comments to nhsbt.customerservice@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Transfusing safely: procedures and essential checks
Blood components administration a quick reference guide
Blood transfusion bedside checklist lanyard
Do we know who you are? poster for patients
Do we know who you are? screensaver for patients
Do you know who they are? poster for staff
Do you know who they are? screensaver for staff
NBTC indication codes for transfusion bookmark *
NBTC indication codes for transfusion poster
Pre-administration, blood component transfusion checking video on YouTube and e-LfH
Taking a blood sample for pre-transfusion compatibility testing poster
The pre-transfusion blood sampling process video on YouTube and e-LfH
The strange case of Penny Allison video on YouTube
eLearning
Anaemia
An anaemia package providing a straightforward introduction to anaemia with tailored modules for primary and secondary care, available certified and non-certified.
Maternal anaemia
A 2-part package introducing maternal anaemia and appropriate management (certified and non-certified) is also available.
Learnbloodtransfusion
Produced by the UK and Irish blood services to promote safe transfusion practice, and available via:
learnPro: NHSBT will no longer be supporting free-of-charge access to learnbloodtransfusion on the learnPro platform with effect from 1 April 2022.
e-LfH or MY ESR: you will still be able to access the modules free of charge on these platforms after 1 April 2022.
Your transfusion practitioner can advise which is applicable to your organisation.
Transfusion Associated Circulatory Overload (TACO)
TACO matters flyer *
TACO matters poster
TACO matters screensaver
Non medical authorisation of blood components
Clinical course
Non medical authorisation of blood components
The course costs £400 and is for senior nurses and midwives who are working towards making the clinical decision and providing the written instruction for blood component transfusion.
Resources
Framework to support nurses and midwives making the clinical decision and written instruction for blood components report (please download, not available to order from the distribution hub)
Policies and competency documents shared by regional transfusion committees:
Hospice
This poster (please download, not available to order from the distribution hub) has been adapted and tailored to the specific requirements of hospice patients requiring transfusion. Produced in response to the National Comparative Audit of red blood cell transfusion in hospices 2016 and in collaboration with the staff from St Gemma’s Hospice, Leeds.
Paediatric and neonatal
Laboratory best transfusion practice for neonates, infants and children bookmark *
Transfusion of blood components for infants and children bookmark *
Transfusion of blood components for neonates bookmark *
Specific requirements
Irradiated blood components poster
Irradiated blood components screensaver
Irradiated blood factsheet - we are reviewing this resource following the publication of the updated BSH guidelines
Irradiation indicator labels web page
Our other resources include:
Cryoprecipitate: information for healthcare professionals factsheet
Fresh frozen plasma: information for healthcare professionals factsheet
Framework for the provision of blood transfusion out of the acute hospital setting
Is my blood transfusion necessary? poster *
PBM toolkit - advice on implementing Patient Blood Management strategies in clinical practice
Apps
Blood Assist: blood component administration
This smartphone and web-based application summarises the key guidelines and recommendations for the safe administration of blood components. It is designed for use, at the bedside, at the time of transfusion.
It is available for NHS Trusts and individuals and is free to download:
- Google play and iTunes stores, search NHS Blood Assist
- As a web-based application www.bloodassist.co.uk
Please tell us what you think of the app, we'd appreciate your feedback.
Please use our poster and video to help promote our app to your colleagues.
Blood components: indication codes
Revised smartphone and web-based application summarises the latest NBTC indication codes and the addendum to the BSH guidelines for Transfusion for Fetuses, Neonates and Older Children.
It is available for NHS Trusts and individuals and is free to download:
- Google play and iTunes stores, search NHS Blood Components
- As a web-based application
Please use our poster (PDF 240KB) help promote our app in your clinical area.
Videos
BSH administration of blood components on YouTube
Having a blood transfusion on YouTube
Pre-administration blood component transfusion checking on YouTube and e-LfH
Pre-transfusion blood sampling process on YouTube and e-LfH
Setting up and performing a Manual Red Cell Exchange in Sickle Cell patients (less than 40kg) on YouTube; supporting documentation for patients weighing less than 40kg: Example 1 (Word 64KB) Example 2 (Word 92KB)
Setting up and performing a Manual Red Cell Exchange in Sickle Cell patients (40kg and more) on YouTube; supporting documentation for patients weighing more than 40kg: Example 1(Word 67KB) Example 2 (Word 57KB)
The strange case of Penny Allison on YouTube
Websites
Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT)